Brooches Reincarnated- the Octagonal Sun and Star Pieces

The sun with its rays weaves a majestic image in the sky which has inspired many jewelry designers over the ages. This time it has inspired a new collection of brooches which are shaped in the form of bright sun to stun the fashionista. The brooch is one of the most ancient of jewelry items which has made a comeback recently with new designs and styles and the sun collection also belongs to the reincarnation of brooches. All the items of the collection demonstrate octagonal shapes juxtaposing the star which is another popular motif for fine jewelry. The octagonal or eight sided brooches displaying the sun through metals and precious gemstones have been liked by the jewelry lovers.

The 8 sided and 16 sided brooches mark a new beginning to these ancient jewelry pieces. The brooches are crafted from yellow gold in neat octagonal geometric shapes that play with negative space while the smaller ones are studded with diamonds surrounding a cabochon gemstone in the middle. However, among the suns a bird shines through with its clean lines and curves studded with diamonds in 8 pointed stars elaborately designed to make the body of the bird. The octagon signifies renewal and hence has been chosen the jewelry designers for reinventing the ancient item called brooches. It also signifies cosmic order, balance and harmony.

Along with signifying renewal, these brooches are excellent for use. They are light in weight and have clean geometric lines which not only look great on your clothes but also extremely stylish. Brooches as many might think is an accessory made for the older people, but they forget how versatile it is. Their versatility has made them a popular choice among the youngsters as well. They are using brooches not only on clothes but also on scarves, handbags and on their hair. In fact, the colorful cabochon brooches can be used along with the star and octagonal designed brooches as a dangling charm.

The color combinations offered by the brooches is also something to note. They have white diamonds, white and black agates, turquoise and chalcedony making the pieces appear gorgeous. A particular sun brooch has a synthetic coral at its center rendering a subtle charm to the jewelry item. If you do not wish to have the sparkling gemstones, you can choose the octagonal star with its rose gold shiny body to style yourself. At the end of the day, the idea is to mix and match this versatile jewelry item with your attire.

Dragonflies Explored in High Fashion Jewelry Pieces

No matter how indifferent we are to the real dragonflies around us, we cannot ignore or overlook the jewelry pieces bearing a dragonfly design because they stun us with their artistic shape and value. Dragonflies have been inspiring jewelry designers since the Art Nouveau period making a place on the dresses, fingers, necks, wrists and also hearts of the fashionista. It is one of the most popular nature inspired designs that women love to wear. The delicate winged dragonfly appears in colorful shapes with precious gemstones on different kinds of jewelries. In fact, it is the only creature which can travel from water to land to sky inspiring artists and jewelry designers with its poise and magical flutter.

A dragonfly is not only celebrated for its elegance and charm but also for signifying transformation. It signifies the capability of embracing change with dignity. Dragonflies in static form have been captured by many artists and jewelry designers in Victorian era. But it was not until the Art Nouveau period that jewelry designers started capturing dragonflies in motion through their jewelry items. The delicate wings of the dragonflies inspired designers the most. The subtleties and slight veins of the wings shone in the light while the dragonflies flew around. These features lent themselves to a technique of enameling known as Plique-a-Jour which brought out the shimmering wings with utmost precision.

The elegance, poise and even sensuality of a dragonfly embodied the significant themes of the Art Nouveau period. In fact, in the best example of natural fantasy, a dragonfly metamorphoses into a beautiful woman. Dragonfly though celebrated in various kinds of designs on different types of jewelries, became most popular as brooches. Brooches are generally longer than many other jewelry items which suited their lithe bodies the most. However, rings, pendants, bracelets and earrings also bear the dragonfly as a beautiful and sensual motif.

Scintillating brooches made from rose gold or yellow gold with rose cut diamonds, emeralds and rubies in the shape of a dragonfly has swept off many fashionista off her feet. A striking piece is the dragonfly pendant with Plique-a-Jour wings studded with rose cut diamonds and cushion cut aquamarine in the center. This is a masterpiece and one of the finest specimens of art on jewelry. Another elegant and sophisticated piece is a brooch made from white gold with translucent white jade wings along with red spinel on the body and white diamonds on the tail. This brooch will make any dress look like a royal one. That is the charisma of a dragonfly! 

Aquamarine- The Talisman, the Healer and the Glamour Gemstone

Aquamarine, the ocean colored gemstone has always had a special place in the heart of jewelry lovers. Considered to be one among the ‘precious four’ gemstones, aquamarine as legend has it was once a stored by mermaids in their treasure chest to help sailors during stormy weather. With such an amazing legacy this beautiful gemstone has gone ahead to become a part of the most desired gemstones ever. Like most of the other major gemstones aquamarine too has been attributed with healing properties. It is believed to cure eye inflammation, seasickness, sore throat and also arthritis in certain cases. Its healing qualities have found a mention in the ancient documents.

Aquamarine belongs to the beryl family and derives its color from iron impurities inside the beryl crystal. An aquamarine occasionally has a star or a cat’s eye effect which makes it even more special. These stones with added effect are extremely rare and most valuable. It is not just valuable to jewelry lovers but also to jewelry designers because it is a hard stone. Jewelry cutters can experiment on this hard stone with various kinds of shapes and sizes which is not possible on a softer rock. It has a vitreous luster and appears in a wide range of blue starting from deep blue to almost translucent. Due to its unique glitter some people prefer the translucent type.

Very recently, Justin Bieber bought a necklace in the shape of a coiled snake encrusted with diamonds and a 13.05 carat aquamarine hanging from the center at $545,000. The necklace was being auctioned at the Cannes Film Festival’s annual anfAR Cinema Agianst AIDS event. He outbid Leonardo DiCaprio on the necklace which he later gifted his mother. Another opportunity for the aquamarine to rise above the average state of things appeared when a vintage necklace and drop earrings set featuring a 49.59 carat emerald aquamarine appeared in the movie the Great Gatsby. The design received lot of accolades and the aquamarine and diamond encrusted set was done on platinum making it one of the most expensive luxury jewelry.

Rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and even brooches in various designs come with aquamarine mounted on them which enhances their charm. The warm or cool blue shade adds a mystery to the jewelry item just like an extraordinary bracelet made from platinum features an emerald cut aquamarine in the center surrounded by diamond encrusted bow tie. This bracelet will increase the elegance of any ensemble at a special event.